Thursday Reading and Recommendations is intended as bookish free-for-all, for the discussion and recommendation of all books historical, or tangentially so. Suggested topics include, but are by no means limited to:
Regular participants in the Thursday threads should just keep doing what they've been doing; newcomers should take notice that this thread is meant for open discussion of history and books, not just anything you like -- we'll have a thread on Friday for that, as usual.
Just picked up my first Svetlana Alexeivich, Zinky Boys. The way she arranges testimonies and voices is compelling, but I'm not entirely convinced by her methodology or even the ethics of her fieldwork. Can historians here, and oral historians in particular, recommend articles or books that critically engage with Alexeivich's approach towards gathering oral histories? Your thoughts on the subject are also welcome.
Chris Bishop's Medievalist Comics and the American Century hit paperback recently. I'd picked this one up on...kind of a whim? Comics and pulps are closely aligned, and I wanted to see if there were some insights on medievalist themes in pulp fiction. Some really good historical material here touching on Prince Valiant and other early mediavalist-aesthetic comics, highly recommended.
If possible, please recommend one or more books about women from the past who are known for their fighting skills.
What are your favourite books on the Japanese occupation of Korea? I'm currently reading Abacus and the Sword by Peter Duus which covers the period just before the occupation.
Could anyone suggest books about post-conflict treatment of the "losing" side and the repercussions? I'm specifically interested in the US Reconstruction period, de-Nazification, and the Truth and Reconciliation process in post- apartheid South Africa. Any tomes that compare these approaches would be of particular interest.
The rift in the US is so deep. Obviously, I wasn't around after the US Civil War, so I can't compare these two eras. I'd like to read about the successes, failures, and lessons learned from different approaches in history.
Can anyone suggest some good books on the Sambyeolcho Rebellion?
Any recommendations on books about James Michael curly
Has anyone read the Devil in the White City? I’ve been meaning to check it out and haven’t bought it yet due to wondering if it’s any good. Historians, is it accurate/good?
Has anyone any good recommendations on Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, James I and Cromwell/English Civil War?
I've read Leanda de Lisle's general overview which was quite good but some more in depth reads would be welcome.